King Bertram’s Final Decade: Bertram was a pragmatic but increasingly paranoid ruler. After surviving an assassination attempt (suspected to be orchestrated by Durnmere agents), he grew distrustful of his court and leaned heavily on House Caelthorn for military counsel and border defense. His withdrawal from courtly life created a vacuum that Halebrandt and Durnmere rushed to fill.
The Treaty of Stagge Hall (10 years prior): A failed diplomatic attempt to unify Thelidor’s noble houses for the kingdom's stability. Caelthorn proposed a joint military command, Halebrandt demanded martial supremacy, and Durnmere insisted on economic oversight. The treaty collapsed, but its memory still haunts the regency council.
The “Lion’s Wedding” (3 years prior): Lord Godric Halebrandt’s daughter Fiona was nearly betrothed to a Durnmere cousin in a bid to unify the houses. The match was sabotaged—rumors say by Dowager Eveline herself—leading to a bitter feud and Fiona’s vow never to marry for politics.
The Merchant’s Rise: Bastian Durnmere’s ascent was meteoric. He brokered trade routes with Arinn and Valoria, enriching Thelidor’s coffers but also binding it to foreign interests. His influence grew so rapidly that King Bertram began to suspect him of plotting a coup.
The Sudden Death of Bertram: Officially a hunting accident. Unofficially, whispers of poison, sabotage, or even a cursed falcon gifted by an emissary. The regency council was formed within days, with each house claiming a right to guide the boy-king.